‘Paul’ Video Interview: Director Greg Mottola

There you can read all about our adventure in the land of hilarity and mystery that is Area 51 – the location where the Paulinterviews were held. Suffice it to say that it involved RV slumber parties, ice cold morning showers (in said RV), late night bonfires beneath shooting stars (or alien spacecrafts depending on your perspective), and an introduction to a surreal and beautiful town – in which a photo of the solitary school-aged child is displayed on a wall in the only restaurant/bar in town, The Little A’Le’Inn.

Next up, we present our interview with the film’s director, Greg Mottola, who is perhaps best known for his work on films such as Superbad, Adventureland, and his first independent film success The Daytrippers. Although he is a well established comedy director, it was surprising for some to see Mottola helm a sci-fi genre film that pays homage to the alien encounter films of the ’70s and ’80s.

Mottola assures us, and genre fans, that he’s enjoyed a long standing love of science fiction, and went so far as to show us a sketch that he drew in art school when he was asked to depict his future vision of himself and his life. The drawing shows a young Mottola behind the lens of a camera, not unlike in the photograph seen above; however, the difference is, that in the sketch George Lucas stands behind Mottola as a cinematic mentor (or overlord – depending, once again, on your perspective).

It’s a well crafted sketch, which Mottola has previously kept private due to his “’80s hair” in the image. He did, however, say that we had inspired him to tweet it to share with fans, so make sure to follow him @gregmottola, and keep an eye out.

Take a look at the interview below in which the director explains his attraction to this particular project – as well as provides some insight into the universal appeal (pun, sadly for me, intended) of an alien encounter film.